UDD launches news centre to cover rally
Supporters asked to film any state 'abuse'
- Published: 11/03/2010 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
The war of the airwaves is heating up after supporters of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra launched a news centre to counter state-controlled media.
The Democracy News Network will counter state media's coverage of this weekend's red shirt rally and broadcast over the People Channel cable TV, six community radio stations, a pro-Thaksin website, http://www.thailandmirror.com, and popular internet-based video clip site YouTube, Somyos Prueksakasemsuk, editor of the Voice of Taksin magazine, said yesterday.
The network aims to defend Thaksin and the merits of the protests by his supporters this weekend, said Mr Somyos, who is in charge of the news centre. If the demonstration was portrayed unfairly by the government and media, the centre would denounce them worldwide and take legal action.
He said the network was working with more than 1,000 agencies worldwide, including human rights and religious groups, and some political parties in Britain, the US and Germany.
The network operates at the Imperial World department store on Lat Phrao Road, which also houses the offices of the People Channel.
Thaksin supporters who join the red shirt rally have been asked to take mobile phones to take photos or film any abuse of rally-goers.
"Video clips of the government harming people will be posted on YouTube," Mr Somyos said.
The UDD has been angered by Channel 5, which is controlled by the army, MCOT's Channel 9 and state-owned Channel 11, accusing them of favouring the government.
Thaksin has used his media outlets to urge his supporters to turn up en masse for the demonstration.
"This coming [March] 14, please join a campaign to bring back democracy and justice for our future generations," he said in a text message to his followers.
He also messaged on the Twitter site to defend his family for leaving Thailand ahead of the rally, saying his daughters, Pinthongta and Paethongtan, had planned a trip to Germany long before the announcement of the protest date. They left Bangkok last night for Berlin via Zurich.
Thaksin's former wife Potjaman na Pombejra and their son Panthongtae are in Hong Kong.
The chief of the Puea Thai Party MPs, Chalerm Yubamrung, yesterday left for Singapore. Mr Chalerm said he would return once the political tensions eased.
Puea Thai chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is receiving treatment for cataracts at Phramongkutklao Hospital.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry has renewed its call for the United Arab Emirates not to allow itself to be used as a base for Thaksin to stir up political activity in Thailand.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya raised the issue yesterday with UAE ambassador to Thailand Mohammed Ali Ahmed Omran Al Shamsi.
Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to the minister, said it was clear Thaksin used the UAE as a base for his political movement with the goal of overthrowing the government.
About the author
- Writer: Aekarach Sattaburuth and Thanida Tansubhapol
